Reviews

Emma and Julia Love Ballet by Barbara McClintock

jennymock's review against another edition

5.0

A rabbit hole into the world of ballet: The author does a great job connecting the two main characters through their love and dedication to ballet. However, the true gem of the story is found after the story's ending in the author's note on the last page. In it she describes her inspiration for writing the book and tells what it was like to see Judith Jameson on stage for the first time. Being ignorant of professional ballet legends, I went into research mode and read about the amazing Judith Jameson and then the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. This book lends itself to discovery and research and wonder.

lattelibrarian's review against another edition

5.0

Thanks to one of my good friends, I've become a huge sucker for anything ballet.  And this book definitely fed into that.  It's sweet, heartwarming, and all-around a warm story.  Of course, it's one thing to meet your idol, but it's another to know that you both have done the exact same thing to get to where you are today.  It's amazing and inspiring.  Plus, I'm a fan of adults encouraging children in their dreams.  That may sound obvious, but I think a lot of dreams that we have as kids are hard work--being a dancer, a surgeon, an astronaut.  Of course they are.  But what I truly appreciate about this book is that there's no lectures--the two of them already know how hard it is to dance.  And there's no Real Talk--both of them are already dancers (just on very different levels).  

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I appreciate how optimistic this book is while also gently noting how much and encouraging the hard work goes into attaining one's dreams.  

Review cross-listed here!

fleurdujour's review against another edition

4.0

An extremely well illustrated picture book about working towards your dreams no matter what level you're on. So cute! (It also made me wish I was a ballet dancer... so effective in that sense as well)

teganbeesebooks's review against another edition

4.0

Beautiful illustrations. I liked the juxtaposition between the child and adult and having the same dream.

readingthroughtheages's review against another edition

3.0

I know children who love dance will enjoy this book. I think it's also a good example of setting your sights on a dream and pursuing it - having a passion for something and going after it.

tayloringram00's review against another edition

This a book you can use to talk about growth mindset and dreams. Students see in the story that dreams take hard work and dedication.

stenaros's review against another edition

3.0

Read for librarian book group.
Great illustrations. Cute story. A hell of a lot of pink.

blackandbookish's review against another edition

4.0

This books shows how similar the day can be for a principle dancer and a little girl dreaming of being a dancer one day. I loved the way each page showed the similarities and how you could use this book as a motivational tool for the young dancer in your life. Even better is the principle dancer is a woman of color.

jessalynn_librarian's review against another edition

4.0

October 2016 - I'm always a fan of McClintock's illustrations, and I love the story here of two dancers' days mirroring each other. It's especially nice to see male dancers and racially diverse dancers in both classes. I think this would be a hit with ballet fans as well as be a good intro to classes and performances. Ben had to add his classic, "If I do that, I fall down" line on the pirouette page.

nairam1173's review against another edition

I found the narrative of this confusing at the beginning and then repetitive. Not bad, but not a favorite.